Twain and Literary Perfidy: Plagiarism, Piracy and Imposture of (and by) Samuel Clemens
Jul 2026 · McFarland
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240
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About this ebook
Mark Twain's career was characterized by a complicated relationship with literary fraud. While he argued that all writing was a form of rewriting, his perspective fueled controversy and left him vulnerable to critics, rivals, and publishers who wanted to exploit his fame. From accusations of plagiarism to the piracy of his works abroad, questions of authorship and originality accompanied his craft throughout his career.
This book examines Mark Twain's career in depth, tracing acts of plagiarism, false attributions, imposters posing as Twain or his associates, and the widespread piracy of his writing in countries without copyright enforcement. The study also highlights Twain's own allegations against other writers, his defenses of accused authors, and "visual plagiarisms" of images tied to his books, bringing to light how literary fraud both shaped and distorted Twain's legacy.
Mark Twain's career was characterized by a complicated relationship with literary fraud. While he argued that all writing was a form of rewriting, his perspective fueled controversy and left him vulnerable to critics, rivals, and publishers who wanted to exploit his fame. From accusations of plag...
About the author
Gary Scharnhorst is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico and is the author or editor of more than 60 books. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Gary Scharnhorst is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico and is the author or editor of more than 60 books. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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